An award-winning museum founded over 100 years ago by world famous chocolate-maker George Cadbury has been awarded a £14,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant to help protect its future.

Selly Manor Museum in Bournville will use the money to develop a new five year business plan which will aim to introduce a whole new generation of visitors to the museum.

The museum will also use the Heritage Lottery Fund grant, made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, to develop an income and fundraising plan and launch a volunteer programme.

Gillian Ellis, Heritage Manager at Selly Manor Museum, said: “Over the last three years we have seen our visitor numbers and school visits increase year-on-year which we are obviously very pleased about.

“However, like many museums in the West Midlands we are faced with the challenge of generating more income to cover increasing costs and operating with less external funding.

“This much-welcomed grant will help us to develop a number of plans that will make the museum more sustainable and financially resilient so that we can have a strong and successful future for another 100 years.”

Steve McCabe, MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, said: “I want to congratulate the team at Selly Manor on securing this fantastic funding opportunity. This vital funding will be spent on projects which focus on making Selly Manor Museum more sustainable and financially resilient.

“I am really pleased to hear that this work can now go ahead and hope that it will ensure Selly Manor Museum can continue to be enjoyed by members of the public for generations to come.”

Vanessa Harbar, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands, said “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, this project will help to strengthen Selly Manor Museum and ensure that Bournville’s rich and fascinating heritage is better managed, protected and shared with local people and visitors.”

Selly Manor Museum is one of Birmingham’s most historic visitor attractions and welcomes thousands of people, including school children, every year.

Made up of two distinct buildings, it brings Tudor history to life with interactive exhibits, tours, talks and special events.

The museum was opened by George Cadbury in 1916 after he rescued it from destruction and much of its beautiful collection was donated by the chocolate-maker’s son Laurence.